Dehairing of pelts



R. H. PLAss 2,234,352

DEHAIRING OF PELTS v Filed June 30, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet l March 11, 1941.

BY Sgam ATTORNEY March 11, 1941. R. H. FLASS DEHAIRING OF PELTS Filed June 30, 1957 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 11, 1941.

R. H. FLAss 2,234,352

DEHAIRING OF PELTS Filed Jne 50, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 All ATTORNEY BY C March 11, 1941. R. H. PLASS 2 DEHAIRING OF PELTS Filed June 50, 1957 l2 Sheets-Shee'I 4 March 11, 1941. R. H. PLAss DEHAIRING OF PELTS Filed June 30, 1937 l2 Sheets-Sheet .5

A TTORNEY March 11, 1941. RH. PLAss DEHAIRING OF PELTS Filed June 50, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 l INVENTOR F0567? H C QQ ATTORNEY March 11, 1941. R. H. PLASS DEHAIRING 0F PELTs Filed June 30, 1937 l2 Sheets-Sheet 7 I I| 4 Ilvll INVENTOR faber-Z MEZas/,sp

' ATTORNEY March 11,:1941. Re H PLASS l2,234,352

DEHAIRING 0F PELTS Filed June 30, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR fzaszs;

A TTORNE Y 4 March 1l, 1941. R H pLAss 2,234,352

DEHAIRING OF PELTS Filed June 30, 1957 l2 Sheets-Sheet 9 ATTORNEY l2 Sheets-Sheet 10 March l1, 1941. R, H, PLAss .DEHAIRING oF PELTs Filed June so, 1.957

March ll, 1941. R. H. PLASS DEHAIRING oF PELTs Filed June so, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 INVENTOR Fazer? BY /Yfflaisj C. 53W

ATTORNEY March l1, 1941. R. H. PLASS DEHAIRING OF PELTS Filed June 30, 1937 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 INVENTOR Pkw/ASQ ATTORNEY folver BY n Patented Mar. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE Claims.

' This invention relates to the dehairing of pelts or skins to produce fur useful, for example, in the manufacture of hats. The invention has for an object the removal of hair or fur from pelts or skins with marked eiciency and with a minimum of waste. One important feature of the invention comprises a novel and particularly advantageous means for severing the fur from the pelts. In this connection the invention more specifically includes a band knife arranged in a novel manner and oscillated at high speed at the cutting station while said band knife is continuously traveling through its orbit. Combined with said knife are a continuously acting sharpening means, means for compensating for sharpening wear, and means for rapidly oscillating the knife during its continuous travel.

The invention also comprises a novel cutting head through which the knife is passed, together with means for adjusting the knife with'precision in relation to the pelt, without interrupting the operation of the machine.

The invention also includes a yieldably mounted support for the band knife, adapted to compensate for expansion of the knife under the heat developed during its operation, and to yield under greater than normal strains.

A 'further important feature of the invention resides in continuous air blast means so related to the cutting means that the severed fur is removed instantaneously from the path of the cutting means and repeated cutting of the severed fur is avoided notwithstanding high speed of oscillation of the knife. The'air blast means removes the severed fur so effectively from the path of the knife that the wastage from repeated cutting of severed v:fur is reduced very substantially below that encountered in prior practice.'

Other `novel features of the invention reside in the pelt feeding means and4 in the means for collecting the severed furv for forming a fleece therefrom. 'Ihe invention also includes dust removing means and also novel driving means with provisions for reversing the drive when desired.' It additionally includes provisions for regulating the position of the suction `chamber accurately with respect to the feeding and cutting means. Further features and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter described and claimed.

This application is a continuation in part of my application S. N. 745,656, led September 27,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail horizontal section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the band knife sharpened mechanism including driving and adjusting means, pulley 264 being omitted to show other parts more clearly.

Fig.4 2A is an enlarged vertical detail section on line 2A-2A of Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is aside elevation, as viewed from the right in Fig. 1, and showing the waste pelt conveyor in section.

Fig. 4 is a plan View of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail vertical section on line 5--5 of Fig. 4, showing the yieldable band knife idlerpulley bearing.

Fig. 6 is anY enlarged transverse vertical section on line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig.- 7 is aside elevation as viewed from the left of Fig. 1 and showing theair pressure and vacuum apparatus. v

Fig. 871s anenlarged detail horizontal section on line 8--8 of Fig. l'1, and showing the valve for controlling theair pressure to the hair blowing nozzles. Y Y Y Fig. 9 is a detail elevation as viewed from line 9--9 of Fig. 8, with the supporting bracket in section. y I Y y Fig. 10 .is an enlarged vertical detail section on the plane of the line Ill-I 0 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is anenlarged plan view of the gear box at the right of Fig. 1, with cover removed. V

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail vertical -section on line I2--l2 of Fig. 1.`

Fig. 13 is a vertical section on line I3-l3 of Figures 11 and 12.

Fig. 1'4V is an enlarged detail front'elevation of the left hand side ofthe hair conveyor apparatus, shown in vertical position.

Fig.`15 is a view of Fig. 14 looking from the right.

Fig. 16 is'an 'enlarged vertical section of the upper portion of Fig. 1 on line l6-I6'of the latter.'

Fig. 16A is'a detail view of a portion of the Referring to the drawings the apparatus in which my invention is embodied is shown mounted on a suitable framework A, mounted on rubber blocks 8, 9, 9a, and 9b to cushion vibrations. The pelt feeding mechanism is positioned in the upper central portion of this framework, on a sub-frame comprising a base I9 and side walls II, II (Fig. 1). The sub-frame aforesaid is bolted, as shown, to horizontal extensions I2, I2, from vertical members I3, I3 of they frame A. Between subframe I9 and extensions I2, I2, are rubber cushions Ila, IIa (Fig. 1), which alsoserve to cushion vibrations.

Pelt feeding means The pelt feeding mechanism includes anvupper feed roller I4 (Fig. 16) and a lower feed roller I5 between which the pelt is placed, with its fur side up. These rollers are solid in structure but are longitudinally corrugated or fluted, as shown, toprovide projections on their pe'- riphery for improving their gripr upon the pelt. Roller I4 is journalled in bearings I6 mounted for vertical sliding movement in the respective side walls II (see Figs. and I6). Springs I1 bear upon the respective bearing elements I 6 and enable the roller I4 to rise to accommodate pelts of different thicknesses, and to bear upon said pelts under the pressure exerted by said springs. Thelower feed roller I5 is journaledY directly in the side walls II.

A pair of saw-toothed rollers aremounted to the rear of the rollers I4, I5 and receive the pelt therefrom. The saw-toothed rollers comprise shafts I8, I9 respectively, each of which carries a series of disks 29 having saw-shaped teeth.

Each shaft I8, I9 is provided, as shown, with a longitudinal .groove or key Vway into which tongues from said disks are fitted, whereby the ydisks, are firmly keyedto the respective shafts. The uppery shaft I8 is journaled in bearings 2| (Fig. 19) slidably mounted in the side walls II and pressed downwardly by springs; while the lower shaft I9 is journalled directly in said side walls.

From the saw-toothed rollers, I8, I9, the pelt is passed between a foraminous belt 22 (which passes around the lower end of a suction chamber 23) and another saw-toothed roller `mounted below said belt as shown in Figs. 16, and 19-21. The latter 'saw-toothed roller comprises a shaft 24 on which saw-toothed disks 20 are keyedin the same manner as noted in connection with shafts I8 and I9. Said shaft 24, like shaft, I9 is journalled 'directly in the side walls I I.

The disks 29 on each of the shafts I9 and,24 are maintained in properly spaced relation on the respective shaft by` a series of stationary spacer plates 25, mounted on rods 26, 21 which are anchored at their ends in the side walls II.

The disks 29 on shaft I8 are held in spaced relation by sleeves 28 (Fig. 19). vThe saw-toothed disks 29' on shaft I8 are offset axially with respect to the corresponding disks on shaft I9 so that the disks oneach shaft lie in planes which fall between adjacent disks on the other shaft. Not only dothe saw-shaped teeth of the disks 29 provide for an effectivegrip upon the pelts, which are not infrequently greasy and wet, but they `prevent, the pelts from slipping laterally during its travelto the cutting means. l

The spacer plates 25 further exercise the important functionV of strippers, preventing the pelts Vfrom becoming wrapped around the sawtoothed rollers I9 and 24. Said plates 25 extend into engagement with the cutting bed box 39,` and thereby insure the' feeding of the pelts past said rollers and on to the cutting bed.

Cutting bed From belt 22 and the saw-toothed roller di'- rectly under the latter, the pelt is passed o-n to a ycutting bed `comprising a series of blocks 29 (Figs. 16 and 1.9-21) mounted within the hollow bed element or box 39 which is secured to cross member 3I` (Fig. 16) extending between the side walls II. Blocks 29 rest at their lower ends upon a rubber base 32 which in turn seats upon a plate 33 adjustably mounted through screws 34 in the bed 39. Each of the blocks 29 is shown as L-shaped, thereby providing a lower extensic-n which engages an inwardly projecting ledge 39" of the bed 39. The rubber base 32 provides a yieldable or resilient support for the blocks 29, and its resiliency may be regulated as desired by adjustment ofthe screws 34. It will be seen that the provision of the rubber base 32 enables the various blocks 29 to yield readily and to accommodate variations in thickness of .different portionsY of the pelts.

Cutting mechanism Above the cutting bed is positioned al cutting head 35 through which passes a band knife 36. The latter extends horizontally over a pair of feed wheels 31, 38 (Fig. 1) but is given a quarter head V3 5 Said cutting head comprises a frame including arms 39, 39 (Figs. 10,16 and 17) journaled onzahollow shaft 49 anchored in the side Walls II. A shaft 4I is rotatablymounted in said hollow shaft 49 for a purpose which Will be noted hereinafter. yA plate 42, alongwhich the band knife runs,V is fastened tothe Vcutting head frame-by screws 43. Fastened to plate 42 by screws 44 (Fig. 17) is a front plate 45 (Figs. 16A, 17, and 18), said plate 45 being spaced from plate`42 by member .43 through which said screwsy 44 pass. .A wedge block 41 (Figs. 10, 16A, and 18)' is interposed between plates 45 and 42, below the spacing member 46, and is provided with a groove into which fits a strip 48 (riveted to the front plate 45) when the wedge is slipped into place between said plates.Y Below the wedge block 41 and between the plates 45 and 42,4 is wedge member 49, ywhich is prevented from traveling to the left by block 59 (Fig. 18). It may be noted in this connection that the band knife travels'to the left as viewed in Fig. 18, as indicated by the direction of the arrow. A block 5I (Fig. 18) secured to the front plate 45 takes care ofl the side pressure of the band knife`36 as it enters the cutting head. Dur-ing its travel through said head, said band knife runs against the shoulder 49' (Fig. 16A) of the wedge 49."

In order to hold the plates 45fand 42, as well as wedges 41 and V49, in firmly` assembled relation, hook Vclamps 52 areprovided. Each of these clamps comprises a horizontal arm, hav-" ing a projection 52 which bears upon a corresponding lip 53'on the head 35, and a vertical depending arm having a projection 55 engaging the front plate 45.v Each horizontal clamp arm has a stud 55 (Fig. 10) passing therethrough and threaded into or otherwise secured to the cutter head frame. Between a lock nut 51 on each stud and the horizontal arm of the associated clamp is a bushingI 51 havingl a flange 51V (Figs. 10 and 22). A spring 58, interposed between the flange 51" and the horizontal arm Vof the clamp, presses the lower end 55 of the vertical clamp arm firmly against the plate 45. Said spring also normally maintains the lower end of bushing 51 spaced slightly above the horizontal arm of the clamp. It will be seen from this arrangement that the springs 58 resist openingiup of the clamps in the case of heavy shocks, and that such opening up is positively limited by the lower ends of the bushings 51.

The cutter head arms 39, 39, are connected b v pins 59, 59 with links 60, 68, journalled at their lower ends on crank portions 6| of shaft 62. The latter in turn is journalled in the side Walls Through said crank shaft, links 60 and pins 59, the cutter head is rapidly oscillated about 'the axis of shaft 4|, bringing the knife 36 rapidly into and out of engagement with the pelt on the cutting bed 29 with resultant severing of the hair from the pelt as illustrated in Figures 19-21. The speed of oscillation of the cutter head is very high (about 2500 oscillations per minute being attained in practice) and the hair or fur, which is inclined rearwardly to the path of travel of the pelt, as shown in Fig. 19, is severed along closely spaced lines.

Riveted or otherwise secured to the. cutter head plate 42 is a blade 63 having saw teeth 64. When the pelt is first fed under the knife 36 the teeth 64 of blade 63, as the cutter head descends, engage the end of the pelt, and particularly the small irregular pieces at the end, such as the portions of skin that covered the head or legs. Said teeth 64 thus hold the pelt firmly in cutting position. The teeth 64 also, by engaging the pelt during each stroke of the cutter head, prevent the pelt from any sidewise slippage under the action of the knife 36. y

Each cutting block 29 is provided with notches 65, 66, underlying the knife 36 and blade 63 respectively. These notches receive the knife and blade when the machine is running empty, and prevent the knife and blade, under the momentum of the cutter head, from engaging the cutter blocks. Damage to the knife and blade when no pelt is in the machine is thereby obviated.

Through the wedges 41 and 49 the knife 36 may be adjusted with precision to project the desired distance beyond the cutter head. For this purpose the wedge 41 is provided on its upper edge with rack teeth 61 (Fig. 18) with which teeth a pinion 68 (Figs. 17 and 18) engages. Said pinion is secured to a shaft 69 (Fig. 17) journaled in bearings 10, 1|, on the cutter head frame. Bearing 10 may, as shown, cornprise an upper member through which studs 12 are passed and are threaded into the cutter head 35. Springs 13 interposed between the upper member and lock nuts on said studs, press the upper member downwardly against the shaft 69. The bearing 1| is shown as comprising a lateral extension of pivot bearing 39' of one of the arms 39; said bearing also comprising a lower plate 14 having studs 15 secured thereto and passing upwardly through the aforesaid extension. Springs 16 are interposed between said extension and lock nuts on said studs 15, and draw the plate 14 into firm engagement with the shaft 69.

Secured to shaft 69 is a worm wheel 11 which meshes with a worm 18 on the previously mentioned shaft 4| which extends through the pivot shaft 48. A hand wheel 19 is fast to shaft 4| and enables the latter to be turned readily, thereby, through shaft 69 and pinion 68, sliding the wedge 41 in the cutter head te adjust the blade 36. By turning the hand wheel 19 in such dilrection as to draw wedge 41 into the head 35 the knife 36 is forced further downwardly, whereby compensation may be made for any reduction in width or depth of the band knife due to wear. It will be apparent that the construction above described enables the knife 'to be adjusted while the machine is in operation.

Secured to one end of the hollow stationary shaft 40 is a collar 80 having a plurality of spring pressed balls 8| mounted therein and engaging pockets in a collar 82 fastened to the adjacent end of the worm shaft 4I. Through the engagement of said balls in said recesses the shaft 4| is held against unintentional rotation, and wedge 41 is thereby maintained against accidental displacement. At the same time the shaft 4| can be readily turned through the handwheel 19 to shift the wedge 41 and effect the desired adjustment of the knife.

Air blast for removing severed far Mounted on and extending between the side walls |I is a compressed air manifold 83 containing a. chamber 84 and a plurality of passages 85 communicating therewith and terminating in nozzles 86. Air under pressure is continuously supplied in chamber 84 from a suitable source through pipe 81 (Fig. 1'7), branch pipes 88, 88, and elbows 89, 89. The nozzles 86 direct the compressed air downwardly continuously upon the pelt adjacent the knife so that the instant that the latter rises out of engagement with the pelt the severed hair or fur is blown away from the path of the knife and is received by the belt 22. The positive removal of the hair from the cutting station by the air blast, from the nozzles 86 is of prime importance since it avoids undesirable waste due to recutting of severed hair, and at the same time enables the knife to effect cutting at high rates of the order indicated above.

Pelt delivery means From the cutting bed 29 the pelt passes between a lower roller 90 and an upper roller comprising saw-toothed disks 9| secured by tongue and groove connection to shaft 92. Shaft 92 is journalled at its ends in bearings 93 secured in said side walls by screws 94 (Figs. 10 and 11). The roller 98 is provided with circumferential grooves 95 (Fig. 11) which receive the saw teeth 9|. Said roller 90 is journalled at its ends in bearing elements 96 (Fig. 10) mounted for vertical movement in the side Walls and is engaged intermediate said bearing elements by a scraper memberV 91, which is pressed against said roller by springs 98. The roller 90 is thus maintained in position to receive within its grooves the saw teeth of disks 9|, but is prevented, by engagement of bearings 96 with bearings 93, from coming into Contact with said teeth. The scraper 91 removes any grease which may adhere to roller 90. The disks 9| run in slots 98 (Figs. 11 and 17) in the manifold 83. The nozzles 86 extend between adjacent disks 9| (Fig. 11).

Upon passing through the rollers 98, 9|, the dehaired pelts are deposited upon an endless conveyor 99 (Figs. 3, '1, .and 16) whereby they are removed from the machine.

Suction chamber and fleece forming means The suction chamber 23 is carried by a frame comprising arms |00, (Figs. 3, 7, 10, and 16) pivotally mounted on studs .i-fl.. HH, inthe side walls Theframe aforesaid maybe secured in operative position by bolts |02 passing through openings in lips l| 03 ,ony said side walls and` threaded .into extensions |04 on s aid frame.

Stops '|05 on said vextensions -normally engage ledges |06 on the 'tops of .said sidewalls. When access to theinterior ofthe machine, and particularly the feedingl and cutting mechanism is desired, the nuts; |02'A maybe removed from the bolts |02 and the frame |0| and suction chamber tilted about the pivots |0I into the vdotted line position (Fig. 3). At this time, stops |01 on the frame arms |00 engage vthe edges of the side Walls and stop the frame in the dotted line por sition referred to. The center of gravity of the frame and parts carried thereby is now at `the right (Fig. 3) of the pivotal axis |0|, so that the frame remains yin said position. v. Slots |03' shown in dotted lines (Fig. 10) in the lips |03 permit the bolts |02 to pass out of said lips when the nuts of said bolts are removed and the frame |0| is tilted as aforesaid.

Suction chamber 23 is supported at the top by studs |08 extending through bearing elements |09 which arejheld slidably ragainst the frame arms |00 by angle membersv I0. The latter are vertically adjustable through bolts extending through lugs ||2 on the frame and threaded through lips ||3 of saidv angle members.. by turning of said -bolts the height of the bearing elements |09, and hence of the studs, |08` and suction chamber 23, may be adjusted with precision. Springs ||4, mounted between blocks ||5 on the angle members ||0 and extension ||0 of the suction chamber, maintain a constant downward pressure on the latter.

The lugs |-|2 above mentioned extend from brackets ywhich are secured to the frame .arms |00 by screws or bolts H8, ||9. The boltsr H9 also pass throughelongated slots |20 in the angle members I I0, as shown.

Secured to suction chamber 23 at its lower end are side extensions |2|. A curved end plate |22, secured between said side extensions, closes up the lower left side (Figs. 10 and 15) of the chamber, while a plate |23, provided with holes |24, extends between said extensions |2| .at the right. Plate |23 terminates a short distanceabovethe bottoms of said extensions |2|, leaving an opening |25.

Studs |23 are riveted into the -side plates |2| and pass through bearing elements |21 which are slidably mounted in forks |28 at the ends of arms |29 .adjustablyvmounted on the frame extensions |04 through bolts |30 passing through said extensions and engaging elongated slots in said arms.y Through said arms |29 the suction chamber may be adjusted about the axis of the .studs |08 and its lower end brought to the desired distance rearwardly from the knife 36, whereupon said arms may be locked by tightening the bolts |30. Thus by said arms |29, in conjunction with vertical adjustment of the angle members H0, the lower end of the suction chamber may bezlocated with precision in any desired relation to the knife, cutting bed, and saw toothed roller 24. l'

The belt 22 may be of woven wire or other suitable foraminous material. This belt is driven by rubber rollers |3|, |32', the shafts of which rollers are journalled in bearing members |33,

|34, slidable vertically in the frame arms |00.- vAs villustrated in Fig. 15, each bearing member |34 bears at one Side against an extension |35 Thus against said ybar |36, the remainder of the opk posite sidel of said bearing member |33 engaging the` adjacent bracket A stud |38 extends from each bearing member |33 into the adjacent slid-able bary |33, whereby, through adjustment of said bars, said bearing members, together with bearings |34 may be adjusted, and' rollers |3| and |32 raised or lowered as desired, to ad just said rollers for any variations in lengthA of the screen 22. Springs |39 press downwardly upon bearings |34 and maintain gripping pressure between rollers' |3| and |32. Guide |40, extending forwardly from extensions |04 and between the same, maintains the wire belt 22 against the lower portion of the suction chamber, and `prevents said belt from engaging the saw teeth vof roller, 24. 1

Extending between and secured to thev frame arms |00 is a bracketv |4| which has secured thereto a plate |42 having a polished surface and extending opposite the forward run of the belt 22 as shown. At its top the plate |42 is bent to form a downwardly and forwardly exe tending portion |43 (Figs. 15 and 16). Secured to the. lower end of plate A|42 and depending therefrom is a spring plate |44 which at its lower end lbearsag'ainst thecutter head plate 45'. f late,|44 prevents any air passing "into the suction chamber 23 from above theknife 36. iThe interior of the suction chamber 23 is connected to a suitable suction source hereinafter described. l

From the construction hereinbefore. described, it will be seen that each pelt is introduced be.- vtween the grooved rollers I4, I5, furred side up, and is passed fromsaid rollers to the sawtoothed rollers |9, 20. From the latter, the pelt is passed between the saw-toothed roller 24 and the wire belt 22. As has been notedthe spacer-s 25, in addition to spacing the saw teeth of rollers I3 and 24, serve also as guides or strippers so 4that the forwardend of the skin does not run in between said rollers, or becomef wrapped therearound, and cause the machine to choke. The suction chamber is set so that the beltx22., in passing around the lowerend of said chamber, engages the pelt and pressesfit downwardly firmly againstrthesavw teeth of roller 24. From belt 22 and roller 24 the pelt is passed on to the cutting blocks 29 beneath the knife 36 and sawtoothed blade 03. The latter engages the pelt with each down stroke of the knife, as previously noted, and insures that the pelt is held steady. during cutting of the hair. In each down stroke the knife-36 severs a layer of hairfrom the pelt, and, as said knife rises from each cutting stroke the hairV severed thereby from Ithe peltis blown instantly out of the path of the knife by the. continuousair blast from the noz# zles 86. The hair removed from the-cutting `zoneby said air blast is blown thereby against the screen 22 (see Fig. 2l) and isheld against said screen by the strong suction through the opening |25..v A s the screen travels Yupwardly ment With `the spring plate |44, which presses` plate, such passage of the fleece being assisted by the corrugated roller |46 driven in unison with roller |3|. From the plate portion |43 the continuous fleece passes on to the belt conveyor |41 (Fig. 16), whence it is removed to a suitable collecting point.

Holes |43' (Figs. l0 and 16) in plate |43 permit any small bits of pelt to pass through and to drop on to the inclined plate |4|, whence they pass downwardly to the pelt discharge belt It will be seen ,that in each downward stroke the knife 36 cuts across the pelt along a line spaced slightly from that of the succeeding stroke, and severs the adjacent hair or fur filaments close to the bases or roots thereof, the

continuous blast from the nozzles 86 instantly removing the severed fur as the knife rises from each stroke. The oscillations or reciprocations of the knife may be effected with marked rapidity.

For example, in machines embodying my invention there are attained in practice about 2500 oscillations per minute while the knife is travel.- ling longitudinally at a speed of about 600 feet per minute. Notwithstanding such speeds, the

'continuous air blast referred to removes the severed fur so eectively that the waste from repeated cutting of, such fur is reduced very materially below that occurring in prior practice.

The corrugated roller |46 is mounted in links |3I, |3I' pivoted on the shaft of roller |3| and resting upon the bend of plate |42, as shown in Figures 15 and 16. The shaft of said roller |46 is journalled in bosses |46', |46 integral with said links. Connected to extensions of said bosses |46', |46are springs |46", |46", (Figures 3, 4, 15 and 16), which at their other ends are -hooked to lips on the frame arms |00. Said springs maintain the corrugated roller |46 at a substantially constant distance from the screen 22, as well as from the bend f plate |42, despite adjustments of the height of roller |3|.

The speeds of the feed rollers I4, I5, I8, I9, and 24, and of the wire belt 22, are such that the cutting of the fur from the skin does 'not disturb the position of the layers of hair with` respect to each other, and the fleece comes out of the machine in substantially the same shape as when it entered the machine attached to the skin.

' Driving mechanism The drive shaft 62 previously mentioned is journalled in the side walls and also in a wall |49 which extends between frame pieces |50, integral with or secured to the right hand side wall II (Fig. 11) Near its right hand end said shaft 62 has secured thereto a worm |52 which meshes with a worm wheel |53 fastened on a cross-shaft |54. The latter is journalled in bearings |55, |56, secured to the frame members |50, |5!, respectively. At one end said shaft |54 has fast thereto a sprocket Wheel I 51 (Figs. land 4) whereby, through chain |58 and sprocket-|59 it drives -the bandV knife pulley 38.

Near its other end, the shaft |54 has loosely mounted thereon a worm |60, driven from said shaft through a safety clutch |6I. The latter comprises a housing |62 (Fig. 13) secured to shaft |54 and carrying a pair of pivoted pawls |63, |63 urged bylsprings |64,` |64into engagef ment with notches inv a hub member |66 integralv4 with the worm |60. Rotation of shaft |54 thus normally drives said worm |60, but in the event of overload the clutch pawls will slip out of engagement with the notches in thehub |66, disrupting said drive.

The worm |60 drives a worm-wheel |61 (Figs.v

11 and 13) secured to reversing gear shaft |68. Fast to said shaft |68 near one end thereof is a bevel gear |69 whichengages the idler bevel pinion and thereby drivesreversely the ybevel gear |1|. Each of .the bevelgears |69, |1I, is recessed, as shown, yand carries within its recess a stud |12. Between said bevel gears, and loose on shaft |68, isl a pinion |13 having a pair ofv end flanges |14, |14 welded thereto or integral therewith, each of said flanges having a nose |15 projecting therefrom. Extending between said flanges is an arm |16 secured to la slidably mounted rod |11. Through a spring |18 the rod |11 is normally maintained .to fthe right.(Fig. 13)

in which position the nose |15 of the right handV disk |14 is in fthe path of pin |12 on gear |69, as a resultof which fthe pinion |13 is driven by said gear |69. When rotation of pinion |13 in the opposite direction is desired, .the shaft |11V is shifted to the lett, by operation of hand lever |19 (Fig. 13), whereby the nose |15 lof the `right hand flange |14 isV carried out of the path of pin |12 of gear |69, and nose |15 ofthe 'lefthand' flange |14 is vbrought into the path of pin |12 ongear I1I.

Pinion |13 drives master gear |80 (Figs. 11 and 12)v fast on shaft |8| which has also keyed to one end thereof rthe-submaster gea-r'l82 (Fig. 11). Master gear |80 drives pinions |83, |84, and |85. Pinion 85, through a coupling |86, drives the lower feed roller I5; Said pinion |85 meshes with a pinion |93 which 'in turn drives the upper feed roller |4 through a' pair of uni-` versal join-ts |88.' |88. Pinion |84 drives fthe lower saw roller shaft 24; while pinion A`|83 '(Fig. 12) through universal joints |89, |89 I(Fig. 11) drives the lower delivery roller 90.

A pinion |90I (Fig. 3) meshing with the submaster gear |82, drives the lower saw'r-oller shaft I9. Meshing with pinion-|90 isla pinion,|9| (Fig. l1) which drives the upper saw roller shaft I8 through universal joints |92, |92. i

Pinion |81 (Fig. 12), which meshes with pinion |83, drives rthe saw tooth; delivery roller V92 through universal joints |94, |94.

Secured to the left-hand end portion of shaft |68 (Fig-11) is a bevel pinion |95, which meshes with a similar bevel pinion |96. The latterji-s f fast to a shaft |91 (Figs. land 3) which is lconnected through universal joint'l |98 'with shaft- |99 journaled in bearing 200 extending Afrom one of the .side frames |00.- 'Shaft |99 `ait its' upperl with gear 204 secured .to :the shaft of said rollerY Corrugated roll-er |46' is driven from rollerV |3| through sprockets 205, 206 and chain 201.5

The fleece conveyor |41 passes over rollers 2 and 3 (Figs. 3, 4, and 16) andis "driven'from' roller |3| by a pulley r4 on the shaft of` said roller; ak belt 5, and .a pulley 6 on the shaft of roller 3. The upper run of the conveyor- |41 may ybe supported on cross bars |41 (Figs. 3 and`7). Angle irons 1, 1, secured to 'said cross bars', extend upwardly at the lsides of the upper run'Wof? saidconveyor tov maintain the eece thereon. v

Y-lit will be noted that through the provision of the reversing lever |10-and :associated par-ts for shifting the pinion |13 to reverse fthe drive'of master gear |80, the pelt feeding :and delivery rollers may be driven reversely to feed the pelts out of -the machine. In practice pelts are sometimes encountered Vwhich are soaking wet or otherwise 'in such condition as may choke the machine. The 4latter mayfurther be choked by the presence. of bones or of too much grease on the peltsl` Under such conditions the clutch |6| slips andthe forward drive of the pelt feeding meansV is stopped.A By`v then shifting the lever |19 to position for reversing the drive, the feeding and delivery rollers lare driven reversely :and the pelt which has blocked the machine is backed out therefrom.` .Y l

Shaftis drivenfrom a main drive shaft 208-' (Figslland 7) through pulley 200 on the naar., beitzlo, and pulley/2l lonshaft a2.- shaft.

208` inl turn may be driven-:from anysuitable source -of powerthrough belt 2|2. The latter is shown. engaging idler pulley l2| 3 on said shaft 208,Y but when itl is desired to set the machine in. operation'rthe belt 2|2 is shifted from idlerpulley12|3 to pulley 214, whichis keyed orl otherwise .secured to said-sh'aft-208. The shifting of belt 2|l2 from pul1eyf2|3 to pulley 2|-4 and vice versa, may be effected ,through a conventionalbelt shifting hand lever such as illustrated at 2|5.,1Leverl 2|5` may be maintained in either of its positions of :adjustment Iby means of Ia notchedA levery 2| 5 '(Fig. 1) drawn by spring 2|5" into engagement with lever 2|5-. f

Y Band knife mounting As, previously noted, the endlessband` knife 36 is; carried by a pair of'. pulleys 31, 38. Pulley 38,- ciriver;- as ,hereinbeforenoted bywchainI |58 and sprocket |59; is. fast. on shaft 2 I6,` whichis journaledin` Vbearing 2|1. securedV to bracket 218 eX- tendingf-rom themain frame. A. Sprocket |59 is secured to the opposite end of said yshaft 2 6.

1.10,J"?Q15iIlgv froml the end, of frame A opposite to thjat which carries;V bracket 2|0 is another bracket 2 9 on which is mountedthe .bearing 220' for the idler pulley 31 over which the band knife passes. The4 mounting for bearing.. 22.0.. .comprises a plate 22| secured by screws 2,22.to bracket 2|0. Slidable on plate, 22| isa bearing, plate. 2 2.3hav. ing side anges 224 which extend downwardly in engagement with the sides of plate 22|. Blocks 225secured to said flanges 2 24, engage beneathplate 22| :and retain the bearing, plate 223.slid. ably thereon.

Bearing 220, in which isrjournalled shaft; 3.1

of pulley 31, is pivotally connected to.; plate 223Y bythe vertical pivot pin 226.V Setv screws 221, threaded through extensions-228 of plate 223,

engage opposite sides of aprojection 229.of the.-

The bearing l2|1 is preferably also mounted for adjustment about a vertical pivot pin, in` a" manner similar to that described above in connection with bearing 220. Said bearing .2|1' Vis The adjustment of the bearings 2|1 andv 220A about the vertical axes of pins 232, 226, enables the pulleys 31, 38 tobe accurately positioned so that the band knife will run true and will be properly aligned with the cutter head 35.

As pointed out above, the plate 223 on whichr bearing 220 is mounted is slidable on plate 22|. Threaded into said plate 223 is a bolt 235, which projects through an opening in a bracket 236 fastened to plate 22|. A spring 231, interposed between bracket 236 and washer 238 on said bolt, normally holds the bearing plate 223 and bearing 220 in the position shown in Figures 4 and 5,

maintaining the band knife 36 under tension.

The vbrand knife is stretched tightly between the' pulleys 31, 38, and, as previously noted, is given a quarter'turn in its upper crossing as it enters the cutting head, so that its cutting edge is turned into downward position. As it leaves the cutting head, the knife resumes its horizontal position. The spring 231 is of sufficient strength to retain the pulley 31 in its left hand position (shown in Figures 4 and 5) during the downward strokes' of the knife and cutter head in normal operation,

the knife being further tensioned between said pulleys in each down stroke thereof, and springing back into raised position as'the cutter head rises. At the same time, the spring 231 enables the pulley 31 to move slightly to the right under greater than normal strains, and to-relieve excessive tension in the knife 36.

It may be additionally noted vthat the springv 231 performs the further function of maintain-- ing the knife 36 under tension despite expansion of the knife under the heat developed in its op' eration.

Surrounding the spring 231 is a sleeve 230, which is loosely positioned between washer` 238- and bracket 236. Said sleeve is fitted suiciently closely to prevent the spring from contracting to such extent underY a sudden excessive pull on the band knife as to cause the knife to jump off the pulley.

Band knife sharpening means Secured to the frame'A by studsl 240 are a` pair of upper and lower angle irons 24| and ,242;

respectively. Between these angle irons and secured thereto are hardened steel plates 243, 243 (Fig. 2A). Spacers 244 are positioned between said angle irons, the latter being; securedjto- -gether by bolts 245 passing through said spacers. The plates 243 engage opposite sides of the band knife 36 to hold the latter closely for grinding.

An arm 246, fastened to the lower angle iron 242, carries a roller 241 which serves as aguide for the knife.

Beyondthe anglev irons 24|, 242, the knife passes below the cross-piece 248l of' the frame A An vangle iron 249 secured to saidV cross-piece exV tendsin front of and below said knifeand-forms' a guard therefor. A roll'er '250, mounted onlarm 25| fastened to the guard 249, guides the knife in its travel past said guard.

A pair of bell-crank levers 252, 252 (Fig. 2A), pivoted at 252', 252 on frame bracket 253, carry a pair of grinding wheels 254, 254, which pass through openings 255 (Fig. 2) in the angle irons 24|, 242, and engage opposite sides of the knife during its travel. Pivotally connected to the levers 252, 252 are rods 256, 256 which extend through bearings 251, 251 pivoted at 258, 258, on arms 259, 259 projecting from the frame piece 253. Said rods 256, 256 have threaded ends which pass through nuts 260, 260. Springs 26|, 26|, constantly force the rods 256, 256 inwardly and maintain the nuts 260 in contact with the bearings 251, 251, as show n in Fig. 2A. By turning said nuts the grinding wheels 254, 254 may be adjusted with precision to effect the desired engagement with the knife.

'Ihe wheels 254, 254 are continuously driven from shaft 268 through pulley 262 (Figs. 3 and 4) and belt 263. The latter passes from said pulley 262 over idler pulley 264 (Figs. 1 and 2A), thence over pulley 265 (Figs. 2 and 2A) secured or integral with the upper grinding wheel 254, thence around pulley 266 integral with or secured to the lower grinding wheel 254, and thence over idler pulley 261 and back to pulley 262. Idler pulley 264 is mounted on an arm 268 pivoted on frame bracket 253, whereby said arm and pulley may be adjusted to take up slack in belt 263. Said arm and pulley may be locked in adjusted position by tightening nut 269 on bolt 269 which extends through arcuate slot 210 in the bracket 253.

It will be seen from the foregoing construction that the grinding wheels 254, 254 continuously sharpen the band knife during its travels through the angle irons 24|, 242; and that, through the nuts 260, said wheels may be adjusted as desired with respect to said knife without interrupting the operation of the machine.

Provision is also made for horizontal adjustment of the grinding wheel carrying frame 253. For this purpose a bolt 253 (Figs. 2 and 2A) extends through a slot I3 in a bracket I3 integral with frame member I3, said bolt thence passing into the upper rear portion of the frame 253. In its lower rear portion the frame 253 carries a block 286 (Fig. 2A) which is slidably mounted on a. pin 281 projecting from frame A, and is clamped in position on said pin by set screw 288. It will be apparent that by loosening the set screw 288 and the nut of bolt 253' the frame 253, together with the grinding wheels carried thereby, may be adjusted horizontally with respect to frame A and member I3 and may then be locked in adjusted position by tightening said nut and set screw.

Ventilating means A fan 212 in casing 213 (Figs. 1, 4 and '1) is driven by a belt 214 from pulley 215 on shaft 288, said belt passing over pulley 216 on the shaft of said fan. At its suction end, the fan casing 213 is connected, by conduit 211 with suction chamber 23 to maintain suction continuously therein.

At its exhaust end, the fan casing 213 is connected, by conduit 218, with air box 219. A blade or valve 280 in said box 219 divides the exhaust current, one part passing upwardly through conduit 28| to the atmosphere, and the other part passing through conduit 282 to blow nozzle 283. From the latter the air blast passes under the machine, past shield 284, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. '1, thereby blowing any dust developing beneath the machine into the screened dust chamber 285.

For regulating the amount of air passing from the fan 212 to the conduit 282 and blow nozzle 283, the blade 280 is pivotally mounted in the casing 219 by trunnion 290 integral with the vane and extending beyond the edges thereof into recesses in the casing 219. A handle 29|, integralvwith trunnion 290 and extending outside the casing 219 affords convenient means for adjusting the position of the blade 280 as desired. The blade may be secured in any of its positions of adjustment by any suitable means, such as a clamp 292 having an extension 292' recessed to fit the curved surface of the trunnion 290, and also having an extension 292" engageable with the casing 219. After the handle 280 is manipulated to set the blade in its desired position, a bolt 293 is passed through the clamp 292 and thence into the casing 219 for firmly locking the clamp 292 against trunnion 290 and thereby maintaining the blade 280 firmly in its position.

Summary The operation of the machine will be evident from the foregoing description. Briefly summarizing, it may be pointed out that pelts are placedby an operator, furred side up, on a suitable platform 286 (Fig. 16) and are inserted between the'first pair of feed rollers I4, I5.

'Thence they are fed by said rollers I4, I5 to the saw-toothed rollers |8, I9, and thence between saw-toothed roller 20 and screen belt 22 on to the cutting bed comprising yieldably mounted blocks 29. Meanwhile the cutter head 35 is rapidly oscillated, carrying the band knife 36 into and out of cutting position, `said knife severing the fur from each pelt along closelyI, spaced transverse lines. The instant that the knife rises from each cutting stroke, the continuous air blast emanating from nozzles 86 blows the severed fur out of the path of said knife. The severed fur is received by the screen belt 22 on which it is retained by the suction from suction chamber 23. As said belt 22 carries the fur upwardly beyond the range of the suction in chamber 23, the fur is maintained in engagement with said belt by the plate |42. Thence the severed fur, in the form of a fleece, is passed around the bend of plate |42, assisted by roller |46, and passes downwardly along portion |43 of said plate and on to conveyor |41 which removes said fleece from the machine.

The pelts from which the fur has been severed are removed by the delivery rollers 90, 9| and pass therefrom on to a suitable conveyor 99, driven by any suitable power source, which removes said pelts. 'I'he band knife 36, oscillated at high speed by cutter head 35 during the longitudinal travel of said knife over pulleys 31, 38, is

continuously sharpened by the grinder wheels 254, 254, which may be adjusted as desired without interrupting the travel of said knife. The knife may also be adjusted in the cutter head 35 as previously noted, without interrupting the operation. 'I'he yieldably mounted bearing 220 for pulley 31, under the action of spring 231, takes up any slack in the knife which may develop from expansion thereof under the heat arising from its operation.

Should the machine `become jammed for any reason, such .as by the wet or. greasy condition of a pelt, or the presence 4of foreign material, the clutch |6| slips and avoids damage to lthe machine. The operation of the feed rollers may then be readily reversed by operation of the hand lever |19, whereupon the pelt which caused the blocking is backed out of the machine. In the meantime, .suction is maintained in the chamber 23 by the fan in the c-asing 213, which -fan also blows a current of air through pipe 282 and nozzle 283 into the space within. the machine frame belowthe pelt feeding and fur severing section, said air blast following the path of the arrows showny in Fig. 7, and blowing any dust into the-screened dust collecting chamber 285. The

' intensity of this current may be regulated by operation of the valve 280 (Figs. 8 and 9).

. Through the bolts and angle members' |||l the suction chamber 23 may be adjusted vertically, while through arms I 29 said chamber may be adjusted about the axis of stubs |08. Thus the lower end of said chamber may be brought with precision into any desired relation to the knife, cutting bed, and saw-toothed roller 24. Also the screen belt rollers |3I, |32 may be adjusted through bars |36 and bolts |31, to compensate for any variations in the length of screen 22.

It will be apparent that while the band knife construction and arrangement herein disclosed is of special utility in conjunction with the severing of fur from pelts fed to the knife as previously described, nevertheless the utility of this band knife arrangement is not restricted to this eld, and that said band knife may be used for other purposes. f

The terms and expressions which I have employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and I have no intention in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described 'or portions thereof, but recognize that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

I claim:

l. The method of cutting, comprising moving aband knife in an endless path, turning a portion of said knife at an angle to the remaining portion during said travel, and vibrating said turned portionfinto and out of cutting position.

2. In combination a band knife, means supporting said knife for travel in an endless path, means for causing a portion of said knife to be turned at an angle to the remaining portion of said knife during said travel, and means fo-r vibrating said turned portion into and out of cutting position.

3. In combination, a band knife, elements supporting-said knife for travel in an endless path, said band knife having a portion between said elements turned at an angle to the remaining portion of said knife, and means for oscillating the first mentioned portion into and out of cufting position during the travel of said knife.

4. In combination, a band knife, elements supporting said knife for travel in an endless path, means for turning a portion of said knife into a position at an angle to the remaining portion during the travel of said knife, and means fo-r actuating the first mentioned means for shifting the first mentioned portion of said knife into and out of cutting position during said travel.

5. In combination, a band knife, elements supporting said knife for travel in an endlessipath, means for imparting a turn of substantially ninety 'degrees to a portion .of said knife between .said

elements lduring the travel of said knife, and means for shifting said turned portion into and out of cutting position transversely toY said path during said travel.

6. The method of cutting, comprising moving a band knife in an endless path over a plurality of supporting elements, turning a portion of said knife between said elements into a position at an angle to the remaining portion of said knife, forcing said turned portion of said knife between said elements into cutting position thereby tensioning the knife portion between said elements, andreleasing said tensioned portion for retraction from cutting position by virtue o-f the energy stored therein.

7. Incombination, a band knife, means comprising rotatable elements for supporting said knifefor travel in an endless path, means engageable with a portion of said knife between said elements for vibrating said knife portion toward and away from the axes of rotation of said elements for thereby shifting said knife portion into and out of cutting position during the travel of said knife.

.I '8. The method of cutting which comprises moving a band knife in an endless path over' a plurality of rotatable elements, and vibrating a portion of said knife toward and away from theaxes of rotation of lsaid elements to thereby shift said portion into and out of cutting position during the travel of said knife. l

9. In combination, a band knife, means for causing 4said knife to travel in an endless path,

`means adjacent a portion of said path for receiving a portion of saidk knife and oscillating the same into and out of cutting position with respect'to another portion of said knife during'the travel of said knife, and means for adjusting the position of v-sad knife portion in said vreceiving means.

10. In combination, a band knife, means for causing said knife totravel in an endless path, means adjacent a portion of said path for receiving a portion of said knife and oscillating the same with respect to another portion of said knife'into and out of'cutting position during the travel of said knife, and means for adjusting the position of lsaid knife portion in said receiving means during the travel of said knife.

11. In combination, a band knife, means for causing said knife to travel inv an endless path, means adjacent a portion of said pathfor receiving a portion of said knife and vibrating the same into and out of cutting position with respect to another portion of said knife during the travel of lsaid knife, and wedge means for adjusting the position of said knife portion in said receiving means during the travel of said knife.

12. In combination, a band knife, means for causing said knife to travel in an endless path, means adjacent a portion of said path for receiving a portion of said knife and vibrating the same into and out of cutting position with respect to another portion of said knife during the travel of said knife, means `fo-r adjusting the position of said knife portion in said receiving means during the travel of said knife, and means for sharpening said knife during the travel thereo-f.r

13. In combination, a band knife, means for causing said band knife to travel in a given path, means for vibrat'mg only a portion of said knife transversely ofits path of travel to effect cutting, and means responsive to increase in length of sraid'knife for taking up slack therein.

14. In combination, a lband knife, means for sol 

